Office, Gift Shop & Museum:
Tu.-Fri. 10:00 - 4:00
Sat. 1:00 - 4:00
Sun. Dec. 4 -Jan. 16:
1:00 - 4:00
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Wilton Historical Society Programs for Scouts
Overview
The Wilton Historical Society offers a number of programs for scout groups. These programs are designed to help young scouts, of both genders, discover and appreciate their heritage, pass requirements for several badges and have an opportunity to learn, in general, what living in Wilton was like in the 18th century.
| Page Table of Contents: Click on Desired Program | |||
| Cub Scouts/Daisy Level | Jr. Girl Scouts | ||
| Early American Sampler | Local Lore | ||
| Brownie Level | Folk Arts | ||
| Stitch It Together | Yarn and Fabric Arts | ||
| Manners Badge | FAQ | ||
| Listening to the Past | |||
Cub Scouts/Daisy Level
Sampler of Early American Life: What was it like to live around here in the 18th century? Scouts explore our historic houses to learn about colonial clothing, cooking, and chores, while trying their hands at churning butter and making a toy.
Program Length: 1 hour
Cost for program: $50 for up to 10 scouts; $5 per person for additional scouts
Brownie Level
Stitch It Together: See some of the samplers and embroidery in the Wilton Historical Society’s collection. Discussion includes how and why young girls learned to sew and how textiles are made. Activities will include cross-stitching initials and sewing a lavender sachet.
Program Length: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cost for program: $50 for up to 7 girls; $7 for each additional girl
Manners Badge: Scouts host their own snack party at the Historical Society! Here they learn:
- Introductions and handshakes
- How to set a table
- Table manners
Discussion includes a history of table manners as well as some customs from other cultures. Scouts learn courtesy words in languages other than English.
Program Length: 1 hour
Cost for program: $40 for up to 8 girls; $5 for each additional girl
Snack provided by troop(s)
Listening to the Past: Visit the Oldest Cemetery: Sharp Hill Cemetery is close to the Historical Society and is one of the oldest in Wilton with gravestones from the mid-1700s. There are graves of old Wilton families, children, interesting epitaphs, and beautiful carvings. You will be able to take digital photographs. After visiting the cemetery, come to the Historical Society to see some of the artifacts that belonged to the families buried there. Games of the Past: In early America children had to make their own toys or play with what was available. Girls will tour the museum’s Toy Loft and play with reproduction toys and games. Discussion will include how toys taught children moral values and the differences between games 200 years ago and today.
Program Length: 1 hour 30 minutes (not including cemetery visit)
Cost: $50 for up to 7 girls; $7 for each additional girl
Jr. Girl Scouts
Local Lore: Every town and every building has a story. Come to the Wilton Historical Society, where we will compare maps of Wilton from different years, and explore different examples of architecture found in our town. On a tour of one of our historic houses, learn how early Wilton lifestyles and interior design changed in the course of 150 years.
Program Length: 1 hour 15 minutes
Cost: $40 for up to 8 scouts; $5 for each additional scout
Folk Arts: Folk arts are the arts of everyday people. In this program, your scouts will tour one of our historic houses to look at and discuss examples of folk art, and the effect that changes in technology and availability of goods had on them. After a tour of our Toy Loft, your troop will paint a floorcloth as a group project.
Program Length: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cost: $70 for up to 10 scouts, $7 for each additional scout
Yarn and Fabric Arts: Textile production was a crucial part of colonial women’s lives. In this program, your troop will learn about many of the steps that went into making fabric, such as spinning and weaving, and will try their hands at embroidery.
Program Length: 1 hour 30 minutes Cost: $50 for up to 7 scouts; $7 for each additional scout
Add-On Activities:
- Weave a bookmark on a cardboard loom: add 30 minutes and $3 per scout
- Make and thread a back-strap loom. This will require a second session at the Society for 1 hour 30 minutes, and an additional $5 per scout
FAQ
- How do I schedule a program?
- Please contact Kate Gluckin at (203) 762-7257. When you call, please be prepared with dates your troops would like, the time you can begin, and how many scouts, adults and siblings you will bring. Badges and snacks must be provided by the troop leaders.
When are the programs offered?- We offer programs Tuesday through Friday after school, and on Saturdays between 1pm and 4pm. Special arrangements can be made for afternoon programs on Sundays.
